Getting smaller fast...this normal when cutting??

[joshbeam1]

Started my cutting phase. Only things I've changed is I only drink 12oz of skim milk a day instead of 1 gallon, I don't eat late at night anymore and I'm doing a little cardio. I've already lost 8lbs the 1st week. Unfortunately, I've lost 1/2'' off my arms already and Ive lost a little strength, not a great deal, but it still pisses me off. Is this to be expected?? Lossing size/strength so quickly??

 

[apex]

8lbs in the first week is quite a bit. I wouldnt be worrying about loosing strength it happens to us all while dieting.

 

[joshbeam1]

Think I made too many changes all at once?? Should I start eating protein again late at night?? Any advice to help me w/my cutting cycle w/o getting TOO small??

 

[goiterjoe]

You're going to feel a lot smaller when you're dieting just from the glycogen depletion alone. It can be tough to do when you're used to seeing your muscles look big and full and then they quickly get smaller and undefined. Just keep with it.

How much of that 8lbs do you think was water weight? That is an incredible amount of weight to drop in a week, losing it that fast makes you much more likely to lose a considerable amount of muscle tissue along with the fat. This will only make you more likely to rebound the weight once you stop dieting because your RMR will be lower.

 

[joshbeam1]

I honestly don't think too much was water weight. Think I might have changed too many things too quickly, cutting out milk, not eating later at night, and then I did alot of cardio that week 2. I feel weaker on everything except dl's, and my energy is lower. Not used to cutting much, so is diff. 2 get used to. Thanks for the advise. Really sux seeing your muscles shrink!! Especially after u've worked so hard for that. Hopefully u're right about me gaining them back faster after i'm done cutting. Just hope I don't loose too much muscle in the meantime. Kinda wanna go back to bulking already.

 

[bula]

Not sure about your cutting strategy, or how you're manipulating your carb intake, but if you're going low carb, make sure you include a bigtime clean carb day about every 5 days. Deplete those glycogen stores and you'll get flat as a pancake. 100g carbs for 3-4 days, then 500g for 1 day - without going over your max calorie requirements. Just manipulate the protein intake - higher on low carb days, lower on high carb days.

You're not losing muscle if you've maintained decent workouts and consumed enough protein. Also glutamine intake is critical when cutting. Make sure you get your fill.

 

[therev]

Think I made too many changes all at once?? Should I start eating protein again late at night?? Any advice to help me w/my cutting cycle w/o getting TOO small??

Id use a shake at night of pure protein for sure. How much protein are you taking in now? and hwo much were you taking in before? I personally always try to get the protein levels high, when bulking or cutting.

 

[joshbeam1]

I haven't really changed much w/my protein intake, except, I used to eat meat before I went to bed and now I don't. Maybe I should again??
ANyways, I drink about 3 whey protein shakes a day 30-40grams each and then try and get another 150-250grams from meat(venison, beef, tuna, chicken, buffalo) . I eat lots of eggs 2. Cottage cheese occasionally.
I haven't been cutting long at all (this is my 2nd wk now) and I didn't want to make too many changes right away, so I haven't cut carbs yet, just milk. And when I used to drink 1 gal a day, that alone made a difference. Will try the low carb thing next wk. maybe. Can I ask y u load up on carbs every 5th day?? I'll look into getting some glutamine too. thanks